Chapter Text
When Blanc walks back into the church, Jud appears to be in almost the exact same position as when he had left. Of course, he knew that to be untrue considering the jewel's absence from the steps on which it fell. Geraldine and a paramedic are in front of Benoit, hurrying to Martha's side. Benoit walks briskly behind them, and by the time the paramedic has finished checking Martha for a pulse, he is soon by Jud's side.
"Father Jud." Benoit calls his attention, grabbing onto Jud's shoulder. He looks up, eyes red and tears streaming down his face. He looks as he did when he broke down when Benoit first arrived to Chimney Rock, but more... numb to the world.
"I believe it would be best if you were to get some rest now, Father." Benoit speaks as the paramedic pulls Martha from Jud's lap. "But- But the um, the- Geraldine needs my statement?" Jud mumbles out, clearly not in a right state of mind.
"Respectfully, Father, I don't believe Geraldine could take your statement now if she wanted to. You need time to calm down Jud. To rest."
Jud looks as if he's going to argue, but instead his face crumples more and he starts quietly crying again, hunched over.
"Oh god- oh- I, I thought that I had-" a strangled noise escapes the priest "I thought that I'd- again, oh god- and it wasn't-"
Benoit quickly moves to kneel next to the hunched over priest "Shhh, shhh, come now Father, let's get you calmed down. You could do with a nice shower and warm clothes." Benoit wraps his arm behind Jud's upper back, a firm grip on his shoulder. Jud seems strangely both aware as well as not as Benoit guides him to the rectory.
Once they reach the rectory, Jud finally appears to slowly come back to himself.
"I'm so sorry Blanc. You shouldn't have to-" he cuts himself off, unable to formulate the right words.
A moment of silence passes before he replies "It's quite alright Father. Believe me or not, but this isn't my first rodeo with the aftermath of a murder. I truly don't mind helping you out in the least." He lets his arm off of Jud's shoulder, looking him in the eye. "Oh and please, call me Benoit. After all this commotion that much at least is deserved."
Jud gives him a small smile in return. "Then you can drop the Father for me. Please, just Jud is fine."
Benoit nods in response, then there is a small, slightly awkward silence in which all they do is look at each other. However, the moment soon passes, and Benoit moves farther into the rectory. Jud trails behind, suddenly incredibly unsure of himself.
"Um, will you be going Benoit? I figured now with your case and all having finished you'd be giving a statement and leaving."
Benoit, who has taken a seat on the couch, faces Jud. "Oh, I may stay a tad longer, lawyers and all that to deal with. This case has most certainly not been without trial and tribulation, my dear boy." As Benoit speaks Jud has moved to sit opposite of Benoit. "However, I must say I do dearly miss my dear Phillip."
"Phillip?"
"Yes, have I not mentioned him yet? My mind gets so stuck in a case I suppose its hard to remember to partake in small talk. Phillip is my husband. We've known each other about... 30 years, give or take."
Jud gives a smile in response "That's quite a while."
"Yes, I suppose it is. We've certainly had our ups and downs I'd say, but no matter what he supports me and I support him. Now, I'm not one to believe in luck Jud, but sometimes I truly believe it was the whim of a four leaf clover that allowed us to stay as connected as we are."
Jud lets out a low hum on response "That's surprisingly sweet."
"Indeed." Benoit smiles. "Of course, the openness of our marriage has certainly played a major role I would say." he chuckles out.
"Openness?" Jud questions
"Yes, you see, I am quite the traveler, what with my many cases and all. However, my husband is quite the homebody. So I have my nights and one offs in different countries and he has some friends that satisfy his needs when I am away." Benoit leans back in his chair a bit, then continues. "Of course, we tried the whole closed relationship thing, but it just seemed to lead to an abundance of tension."
Jud appears unsure about this information, but Blanc can sense there is truly no negativity, no judgement, just plain old curiosity.
"Anyways, enough about all that, I came here to ensure you'd be okay." he stands up, pushing his hands against his knees as he rises.
"Is there anything I can do for you before I leave Jud, or have you got it for the night?"
"Oh, right- yes of course! Yes, I've got it from here. Thank you so much Benoit. For everything." The sentence is said with such gratefulness, Benoit can easily tell he means it as more than just a thank you for helping him out of the church and to the rectory.
"Of course Jud. If you need anything at all, I'm just a call away."
Jud nods gratefully, and Benoit leaves.